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Wisconsin Basketball a Big Riser in Pre-Tournament Poll

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Kedrick Stumbris | Last updated Mar 17, 2025 2:42 PM ET

Madison, WI - The AP Poll is not the college basketball agenda-setter this time of year. While Wisconsin basketball is focused on keeping its season alive, UW is getting recognition for its conference tournament run.

After winning three games in three days, the Wisconsin Badgers (26-9) could not cap off a magical run to the Big Ten Tournament championship game. Both teams struggled to make shots in the final game before the March Madness selection show. As Wisconsin's unanimous All-Big Ten First-Team honoree John Tonje went 1-14 from the floor, it fell 59-53 at the hands of the Michigan Wolverines (25-9).

Despite what happened in that fourth game in as many days, head coach Greg Gard's squad has impressed this postseason. With the NCAA Tournament now just hours away, the No. 3 seed Badgers are trending in the right direction.

Wisconsin Basketball Rises Five Spots in AP Top 25

A week ago, the Badgers took a step back in the AP Top 25. On the heels of a disappointing 86-75 home loss to the Penn State Nittany Lions, Wisconsin fell six spots to 18th in the poll.

After opening postseason play with a win over the Northwestern Wildcats, a dominating performance against the UCLA Bruins, and a Naismith Award-worthy performance by Tonje against the Michigan State Spartans, the UW has nearly regained all the footing it lost.

Wisconsin is 13th in the final AP Poll before the NCAA Tournament. It is one spot ahead of Big Ten Tournament champion Michigan. Among its fellow NCAA Tournament three-seeds, UW is the second-highest ranked team in the poll. The Texas Tech Red Raiders are ahead of the Badgers at ninth.

Behind Wisconsin are the 15th-ranked Iowa State Cyclones and 18th-ranked Kentucky Wildcats. The Cyclones and Wildcats were selected in the two spots ahead of Wisconsin on the NCAA Tournament 1-68 seed list. As a result, ISU and UK were placed in Milwaukee's Fiserv Forum as their site for the first and second rounds of the tournament and UW is headed to Denver.

The BYU Cougars, the No. 6 seed at Wisconsin's first-weekend site, are 17th in the poll.

Full AP Top 25 Poll - Week 20, March 17th, 2025

1. Duke Blue Devils, 31-3

2. Houston Cougars, 30-4

3. Florida Gators, 30-4

4. Auburn Tigers, 28-5

5. St. John's Red Storm, 30-4

6. Tennessee Volunteers, 27-7
7. Alabama Crimson Tide, 25-8

8. Michigan State Spartans, 27-6

9. Texas Tech Red Raiders, 25-8

10. Louisville Cardinals, 27-7

11. Maryland Terrapins, 25-8

12. Clemson Tigers, 27-6

13. Wisconsin Badgers, 26-9

14. Michigan Wolverines, 25-9

15. Iowa State, 24-9

16. Memphis Tigers, 29-5

17. BYU Cougars, 24-9

18. Kentucky Wildcats, 22-11

19. Texas A&M Aggies, 22-10

20. Saint Mary's Gaels, 28-5

21. Arizona Wildcats, 22-12

22. Purdue Boilermakers, 22-11

23. Missouri Tigers, 22-11

24. Gonzaga Bulldogs, 25-8

25. Oregon Ducks, 24-9

Others receiving votes: Drake Bulldogs, Marquette Golden Eagles, UC San Diego Tritons, Illinois Illini, VCU Rams, Creighton Bluejays, Ole Miss Rebels, McNeese State Cowboys, UConn Huskies, Colorado State Rams, Kansas Jayhawks, High Point Panthers, UCLa Bruins, Akron Zips

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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